FRESNO, Calif. — The California Medical Board has accused Dr. Samuel O. Leon, a family physician in Hanford, Calif., of having sexual relations with and sexually exploiting two patients, one of whom was his employee.
Leon's attorney, Robert Wilkinson of Fresno, said the doctor denies the accusations.
The doctor intends to defend himself, Wilkinson said, adding that a hearing is expected late next year.
The seven-page accusation filed last month lists seven causes for discipline against Leon. A medical board accusation is a formal charge of wrongdoing after a case has been investigated and reviewed by the California Attorney General's Office. That office acts as the prosecuting arm of the medical board.
According to the medical board accusation, Leon treated a woman identified as M.P. for stress and headaches in 2006 and 2007.
At a September 2006 check-up, Leon asked the woman if she would like to work for him at his clinic. The woman agreed and was hired as a medical assistant, the medical board said.
The medical board said Leon repeatedly groped the woman's breasts and buttocks and made sexually suggestive remarks, including commenting on her weight and breasts and asking her to buy tighter-fitting clothes.
The board said the woman stopped working for Leon shortly after an incident on March 16, 2007, in which he became angry when she asked about a patient who was calling. According to the accusation, Leon reached across the desk and grabbed the woman's wrists.
The woman suffered bruises and called police on March 23, 2007, the accusation said. No charges were filed against Leon.
According to the accusation, Leon had a sexual relationship with a patient, J.R., whom he treated between March and July 2008.
The medical board also said Leon misused alcohol. Hanford police officers took Leon into custody on Dec. 7, 2007, when he refused an officer's instructions to stop fighting outside a bar, the board said.
According to the accusation, officers said Leon "reeked of alcohol and was unable to stand." Leon was held overnight. No charges were filed against him, the board said.
Wilkinson declined to comment on specific allegations in the accusation.
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